Apparatus for extinguishing fires.



D. W. ADAMS.

APPARATUS FOR nxwmamsnme nuns. I

APPLICATION FILED 1 T0V.23, 1910.

Patented Sept. 19, 15 111.

4 SHEETS-BEBE! 1.

l 1). w. ADAMS. APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23, 191p.

Patented Sept. 19, 1911.

m M m .D. W. ADAMS. APPARATUS FOR BXTINGUISHING FIRES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23, 1910.

4 BHEETB-SHBBT 8.

Patented Sept. 19,1911.

- D. W. ADAMS.

APPARATUS FOR BXTINGUISHING FIB-ES. ,APPLIOATION TILED NOV. 23, 1910.

- 1,003,853, A Patented Sept. 19, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

3 *2 HIS? DANIEL w. anus, or ennivniuznsrnmes, mm: CAROLINA.

arrana'rus FOR Exirmemsnme FIRES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 19, 1911.

7 -A.pp1ication filed Npxemlier 23, 1910. Serial No. 593,924.

To all whom it concern.

. Be 1t known that I, DANIEL W. ADAMS, a cltizen of the United States, residin at Glendale Springs, in the county of new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Extinguishin Fires, of whichthe fol- .lowlng is a speci cation. V My 1nvent1on relates to improvements in apparatus for extinguishing fire by projecting'thereon streams of water and chemicals under great pressure, which is generated in a mixing tank by the evolution of gasdue to the reaction of the chemicals. This ci-ple has been applied heretofore, but in so far as I am aware, there has been no provi sion for automatically replenishing the water and the chemicals in the mixing tank or reservoir after each discharge in order that the extinguishing apparatus may be continued in operation for a great length of time.

The object of my invention is to overcome this defect in prior fire-extinguishers ofthis type, and to provide a machine which will be automatic in its operation after it has been-started, so that the firemen may devote their energies to the Work of fighting the fire, the apparatus generating one reservoir full after another 1n continuous succession of chemically charged water under great pressure and delivering it to the discharge hose. 1 have thus greatly enlarged the scope of portable chemical fire extinguishers and have eliminated the manual operations necessary where extinguishers having a single charge are employed, or wherethe introduction ofsuccessive charges requires the manipulation of charging devices. These and other advantages of my'invention will be understood from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of apparatus embodying my invention arranged to be carried by horses upon pack-saddles Fig. 2 is aside elevation, partly in section, of the mixing tank and acid-supply tank; Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the'same; Fig. '4; 1s a perspective view of a set of water-supply tanks and "air-pressuretank; Fig. 5 is a section view of apart of the mixing tank; Fig.

6 is an .end'elevation of an air-pressure tank showing the connectors leading to the watertanks; Fig. 7- is'a side elevation, partly in section, 0 a mixing tank and acid-supply she and State of North Carolina, have invented rintank, showingfanother embodiment of my invention; Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the "apparatus shown in Fig. 7; and Fig. 9 is a'rear view of a' portion of the same; Figs. 10 and 11 are sectional views showin the valves and operating mechanism there or of the apparatus shown in Fig. 7.

When the apparatus is arranged to be mounted upon pack-saddles upon the backs of horses, in the manner illustrated in Fi 1, a pair of mixing tanks 1 may be carrief by the leading horse, and each connected with a centrally'supported acid-sup ly tank 2, in the manner hereinafter described. I have shown the tanks 1 resting in brackets 4, at-

tached to the saddle-arms 5, connected by a pivot-rod 6, provided with swivel 7. The acid-tank 2 may rest above the crossed extensions of the arms or may be supported upon metal cradles l0 clamped to the mix ingltanks, as 'shown' in Figs. 2 and 3.

ach mixing tank is. connected to the acid-supply tank by means of a measuringtiibe 12, which may be a brass pipe having upper and, lower valve seats 13, 14, and is preferably platinum plated u on its inte-- rior. The double-ball valve w ich governs the fiow of acid may consist of a pair of glass balls 13, 14 connected by means of a platinum-plated rod. A cut-oflr' valve [11 serves to shut oil the acid supply when the apparatus'is not in'operation. The acidsupply tank may be a porcelain-lined or a lead-lined metal tank and is, supplied with a filler inlet-screw 15 and an air-cock 16.

The mixing tank may be a lead-lined brass cylinder capable of withstanding large pressures, and is provided with an air-cock 18 and a safety pop-valve 19 set for 300 pounds pressure. A delivery pipe 20 for the hose connection extends nearly to the bottom of the tank and is provided with a screen or sieve overits inlet opening. The inlet connection leading to the water-supply tanks contains a check-valve 22 and is also provided with a cut-off valve 24 below the connection 25 leading to the mixing tank upon the opposite side of the saddle.

The water-Suppl tanks 30, are arranged upon either side 0 the pack-saddles in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 4, each tank preferably holding about 15 gallons of dilute sodium solution. An air-tank 32, connected with each tank, maintainsthe solution under a pressure of from ten to twenty pounds. If the air in the tank 32 is compressed to The discharge tubes 36 of each pair of tanks are connected by means of a Y-unio-n with the main supply hose 38 leading to the mixingtanks. The several sections of the main supply hose are connected by levervalve couplings 39 and a cut-off valve 40 is located in the rear Ofeach union 37. By means of this arrangement any number of water-supply sets may be connected together.

The operation of myautomatic apparatus for extinguishing fires -will be understood from the foregoing description. Assumin that the acid-supply tank 2 has been filled with sulfuric acid and each of thetanks 30 with a dilute solution of sodium carbonate, and the air in tanks 32 having been compressed to the desired pressure, the apparatus may be set in operation in the following manner :The air-cock 18 is opened and the valve 24 in the main supply hose is opened to permit the mixing tanks 1 tofill with the sodium solution. As soon as the solution begins to escape through the aircock 18, the supply valve and the air-cock are closed and the acid cut-off valve 14 is opened, permitting the acid to enter the measuring tube 12. Upon again opening 7 ing tan the supply valve 24,; the solution in the mixwill be subjected to ten or twenty pounds pressure, depending upon the pressure maintained in the supply tanks, thereby lifting the ball-valve and forcing it up against the upper seat 13, thus permitting the measured quantity of acid to descend into the mixing tank. The reaction of the acid and sodium solution immediately evolve a large amount of carbonic acid and subject the solution to a pressure of about 300 pounds. As soon as the pressure in the tank reaches about ten pounds the check valve 22 closes oil the supply hose, although the valve 24 remains open. The apparatus ;fixed relation.

hausted and the pressure in the mixing tank falls below ten pounds, the weight of the ball valve plus the weight of the acid in' tank 2, causes the-ball-valve to descend and seat against its lower seat 14, allowing the measuring tube 12 to fill; check valve 22,

also opens under the ten pound pressure in the supply hose and refills the mixing tank, again lifting the ball valve and permitting the measured quantity of-acid to enter the sodium solution. The operation is thus re-- peatedautomatically and continues until allpartsbeing designated by the same reference numerals primed. In this arrangement, the valves are positively operated by means of mechanism mechanically connected to a piston, the valves being actuated synchronously and being maintained in a definite A cylinder 50 extending within the mixing tank is provided with a piston 51 having a piston-rod 53, extending in opposite directions and connected to the valve-gear. The valves 55, 56, which govern the filling and the discharge, respectively, of the acid-measuring tube or receptacle 12', are connected by segmental gears 58, 59, mounted upon the valve stems. The stem of valve 56 also carries a pinion 60 which meshes with a rack 61 secured to the upper end of the piston-rod 53. The lower end of the piston is connected by means of link 63 and lever-arm 64 with the stem 65 of the valve 67. The valve stems may have squared inner ends fitting into sockets, the valves being held upon their seats under spring pressure as shown. The operation of the valve-operating mechanism will be readily understood. To start the operation, the air-cock 18 is opened, and the parts being in the position indicated in Fig. 7, upon opening the main cut-ofi' valve 24, the sodium solution from the supply tanks flows into the mixing tank, the air-cock being turned off when it is full. Inasmuch as the valve 55 is also open, the acid from the tank 2' fills the measuring tube or chamber 12'. The liquid in the mixing tank being under a pressure of ten or' more pounds, lifts the piston 51, which rotates the valves 55 and 67 intoclosed position and simultaneously L plston escapes through the air-relief-cock 69.

, pressure has dropped below ten pounds, the

As soon as the acid enters the sodium solution, the generation of carbonic acid places the liquid in the mixing or generation tank under a pressure of about 300 pounds, as previously explained in connection with Fig. 1, and the charged liquid may be delivered through the hose 41 to the nozzles under forced pressure. When the liquid has discharged from the generating tank, and the piston will drop, assisted by the retractile spring 70, into the lower position, thereby actuating the valves and automatically returning them to the position shown in Fig. 7, causing a repetition of the filling and generating steps above described. This process will be repeated again and again, until the liquid in all of the supply tanks has been exhausted, thus leaving the firemen free to direct the streams issuing from the hose-nozzles. I have pointed out that the valves and 67 are opened simultaneously, and that valve 56 is closed when the other two valves are open. Valve 56 is placed at such an angle that it will not assume the open position until after the valve 55 is closed, thus absolutely cutting off the acid supply before the acid is permitted to enter the mixing tank, thereby avoiding any dangerous conditions. In order, however, that the pressure shall be maintained upon the piston until some of the acid has been permitted to enter the mixing tank, the valve 56 is arranged to open slightly before the valve 67 has entirely closed. The safety valve 19 is set for 300 pounds to avoid any danger due to a pressure exceeding the elastic limit of the tank. In case it should be desired at any time to manually operate the valve-mechanism, I have provided a handlever-arm 72 on the gear 58 which swings in a slot in the housing 73.

While I have described in detail the particular apparatus illustrated in the drawings for the purpose of showing one embodiment of my invention, it is evident that many changes, maybe made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of my claims. I have described an apparatus adapted to be earned upon horses and especially applicable to use in extinguishing forest fires, or fires occurring in rural districts; it is evident, however,

that it may be mounted upon trucks or other conveyances for use in the fire service of. v

prising a plural ty of liquid-supply resercities.

Having thus given a full disclosure of my 'invention, I clalm 1. An automatic-fire extinguishing apparatus comprising a liquid-supply reservoir,

idsupply vessel, a mixing tank, a

con it connecting said reservoir and said tank, ameasuring chamber intermediate said vessel and said tank, and means actuated by fluid-pressure within said tank operating to automatically govern the flow of liquid from said vessel and from said reservoir into said tank.

2. An automatic fire extinguishing apparatus comprising a liquid-supply reservoir,

an acid-supply vessel, a mixing tank, a condult connecting said reservoir and said tank, a measuring vessel intermediate said vessel and said tank, valves governing the flow of liquid from said reservoir and a measured quantity of acid from said acid-supply vessel into said tank, and means actuated by, fluid pressure within the mixing tank to automatically control the operation of said valves.

3. Automatic fire extinguishing apparatus con'iprising a liquid-supply reservoir, an

acid-supply vessel, :1 mixlng tank, a conduit connecting said reservoir and said tank, a tube provided with a measuring chamber directly connecting said vessel and said tank, cooperating valves in said tube for governing the flow of liquid therethrough and automatically controlled by fluid pressure within said tank, a cut-off valve controlling said conduit, and a'discharge-hose having a cut-off valve connected with said tank.

4. Apparatus for extinguishing fires com-' prising a plurality of liquid supply reservoirs, independent external means for maintaining liquid therein under pressure,

an acid-supply vessel, a mixing tank, a common supply conduit connected to each of said reservoirs and to said tank, a measuring tube directly connecting said vessel with sald tank, and means for automatically governing the successive discharge of liquid from said reservoirs into said mixing tank and acid from said vessel successively into said measuring tube and from said tube into said mixing tank.

5. Apparatus for extinguishing fires com prising a plurality of li uid-sup ly reservoirs, means for maintainm liquid therein under pressure, an acid-supply vessel, a mixing tank, a common supply conduit connected to each of said reservoirs and to said' tank and provided with a pressure-operated valve, a measuring tube connecting said vessel with said tank having interconnected valves, and means actuated by fluid pressure within said tank for actuating said valves to govern the flow of liquid from said.reservoirs and acid from said vessel into the tank.

6. Apparatus for extinguishing fires comvoirs, a source of air pressurev connected tube connecting said vessel with said tank, and fluid pressure-controlled means operable by -pressure within' said tank to govern the flow of liquid from said reservoirs and from said chemical-supply vessel into said tank.

7 Apparatus for extinguishing fires comprising a plurality of liquid supply reservoirs, air pressure tanks connected with said reservoirs, an acid-supply vessel, a mixing tank, a common supply conduit connected to each of said reservoirs and to said tank, a measuring tube connecting said vessel with said tank, and having valves at opposite ends thereof, a valve between said conduit and saidtank, each of said valves being antomatically controlled by fluid pressure within said tank and a discharge hose connected with said tank.

8. Apparatus for extinguishing fires comprising a plurality of liquid-supply reservoirs adapted to contain an alkaline solution, a vessel adapted to contain a supply of acid, a mixing tank, a conduit connecting said reservoirs and said tank, a tube connect- -ing said vessel and said tank, and mechanism for filling the tank with the alkaline solution and successively with a measured quantity of the acid and for automatically repeating the same at intervals after each evacuation of the mixing tank.

9. An apparatus of the type set forth one valve to close when the other valve opens, and means. actuated by fluid pressure within said tank for o crating said valves.

11. An automatic re-extinguishing apparatus, comprising a liquid-supply reservoir, a chemical supply vessel, a mixing tank, a valved conduit connecting said reservoir and said tank, a measuring chamber intermediate said vessel and said tank, interconnected inlet-and outlet valves at opposite sides of said chamber, and means actuated by fluid pressure in said tank to operate said valves.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DANIEL W. ADAMS.

Witnesses: I

P. F. CHAPPELL, HENRY E. GBEENLEAF. 

